Altered Traffic Signal Plan Sparks Controversy among Politiicians and Public
In the heart of Dresden, Germany, a new traffic light system is set to be installed at the intersection of Hainstraße and Theresienstraße, causing a stir among locals and traffic experts. The construction, scheduled to begin on August 4, 2025, has been met with criticism over concerns about increased traffic congestion, insufficient justification, impact on cyclists and pedestrians, environmental concerns, cost, and resource use.
The primary concern is the potential for longer wait times and worsened traffic flow, especially during peak hours. Critics argue that the need for a new traffic light system has not been adequately demonstrated through thorough traffic studies, suggesting that the project may be unnecessary or premature.
There is also a worry that the design of the new system could prioritize motor vehicle traffic over the safety and convenience of cyclists and pedestrians, potentially making the intersection less safe for non-motorized users. Some opponents worry that the potential increase in idling times due to additional traffic lights could lead to higher emissions and negatively impact local air quality.
Questions have been raised about the financial cost of the project, with concerns that the funds could have been better spent on alternative traffic improvements or public transport enhancements. The construction costs are estimated to be around 430,000 euros.
Residents' initiatives have also suggested that the traffic light at the intersection with Hainstraße could increase cut-through traffic on Theresienstraße. To counteract this, the Theresienstraße could be narrowed by extending diagonal parking zones and implementing pedestrian protection measures.
Despite the controversy, the city administration aims to mitigate an accident hotspot with this measure. The work will be coordinated with the Office for Culture and Monument Protection and carried out in collaboration with SachsenEnergie. The company DVT Dresdner Verkehrstechnik GmbH will execute the work.
The construction is expected to last until mid-November 2025, with the Theresienstraße temporarily closed and detours via Königstraße. During construction, traffic will be impaired for up to 150 meters on Hainstraße, with one lane in each direction remaining open. The work includes laying cable protection pipes, technical equipment of the traffic light, marking and signage work, and lowering curbs for barrier-free access.
The new traffic light will be connected to the system at the Schlesischer Platz. Pedestrians will be guided alongside the construction site. Last year, residents of Theresienstraße expressed concerns and called for traffic calming measures.
As the construction begins, the controversy reflects a tension between the municipal authorities' plans to modernize and regulate traffic more strictly and the local community’s concerns about the practical consequences, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the new traffic light system.
The controversy over the new traffic light system at Hainstraße and Theresienstraße intersection raises questions about its necessity, as critics argue that thorough traffic studies were not conducted to demonstrate the need. The potential impact on finance, with the construction costs estimated to be around 430,000 euros, and transportation, as concerns about increase in idling times and higher emissions affect the air quality, are additional concerns.
